piffyr
Junior Member
Posts: 422 
First Name: Anthony
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm smoking right now.
Favorite Tobacco: Revor Plug
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Post by piffyr on Nov 20, 2018 14:37:20 GMT -5
I’ve been collecting Wally Frank pipes for a while now. It was the old catalogs that pulled me in. If you’ve never read through one, you should. Wally Frank didn’t sell pipes. They sold stories and it was the stories sold the pipes. So, the last pipe that I’ll be doing for myself for a while is this Wally Frank Collector. From the catalog description… “We present these beautiful pipes in a number of unusual shapes for the collector. The shapes have been selected according to popularity from our Pipes of the Month. Made from genuine Corsican Briar Root, these Pipes are finished in a light Sun tan color. Each pipe is hand mounted with a beautiful quality Vulcanite mouthpiece, and equipped with a special double ball dry smoking condenser tube.”An interesting note is that the words “Corsican Briar Root” were replaced with “North Carolina burl root” during the war years. Both the Pipe of the Month Club and the Collector series appear to have been discontinued in the early-’60s. This pipe is a perfect match for Weber’s shape #143. So, I’m assuming that the pipe was sold near the tail end of that run. No condenser tube in this one, but some shapes didn’t have them and the tubes may not have been used at all by the time this pipe was made. Instead, the pipe is equipped with a small, hourglass-shaped doohickey made from either some type of wood or bone that has been stained over the years. I honestly can’t tell, even after inspecting it under a 60x loupe.      |
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piffyr
Junior Member
Posts: 422
First Name: Anthony
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm smoking right now.
Favorite Tobacco: Revor Plug
Location:
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Post by piffyr on Nov 20, 2018 14:37:39 GMT -5
The natural briar of this Collector is flawless. No fills whatsoever, which is something of a coupe for a post-war Wally Frank pipe. Its best feature, however, is something that I can’t show in photos. Chatoyance is a term used in fine wood finishing (and jewelry too, I think) to describe a peculiar, optical feature of some woods. As your viewing angle changes, the grain of chatoyant wood appears to move as well. This creates a 3-D-like effect similar to those holographic baseball cards and the like. It looks like you’re seeing into the wood, just below the surface. Very, very cool. I’ve seen chatoyance many times in other woods, but this is the first time I’ve seen it in briar. The effect is most evident in the cross grain along the bottom, but it can be seen to varying degrees over the entire pipe. I wish that I could show it, but I think the pipe still looks pretty damn good without it.       Specs: Weight: 26g / 0.9 oz. Length: 131mm / 5.16 in. Bowl height: 40mm / 1.57 in. Bowl width: 32mm / 1.25 in. Chamber diameter: 19mm / .75 in. Chamber depth: 32mm / 1.25 in. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2018 14:45:25 GMT -5
Beautiful restoration as usual, I own a half dozen Wally Frank Pipes......all excellent smokers👍👍. Enjoy yours for many happy and healthy years of smoking pleasure.
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Post by Quintsrevenge on Nov 20, 2018 14:57:33 GMT -5
great work :-)
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piffyr
Junior Member
Posts: 422
First Name: Anthony
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm smoking right now.
Favorite Tobacco: Revor Plug
Location:
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Post by piffyr on Nov 20, 2018 15:05:36 GMT -5
Beautiful restoration as usual, I own a half dozen Wally Frank Pipes......all excellent smokers👍👍. Enjoy yours for many happy and healthy years of smoking pleasure. Thanks, Ted. I had once set a goal of acquiring an example of every model that was ever featured in a Wally Frank catalog, but I think I've buckled under the weight of that endeavor. They sold a lot of different pipes during their 50-odd years of business. So, now, I'm only picking up the really old, odd, or otherwise special pieces. Even still, my "to do" boxes are overrunning with WF's and I'm not sure that I'll ever be able to get to all of them. |
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piffyr
Junior Member
Posts: 422
First Name: Anthony
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm smoking right now.
Favorite Tobacco: Revor Plug
Location:
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Post by piffyr on Nov 20, 2018 15:06:13 GMT -5
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haveldad
Junior Member
Posts: 477
Favorite Pipe: Kaywoodie Freehand Poker
Favorite Tobacco: Vintage Syrian
Location:
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Post by haveldad on Nov 20, 2018 15:23:44 GMT -5
The natural briar of this Collector is flawless. No fills whatsoever, which is something of a coupe for a post-war Wally Frank pipe. Its best feature, however, is something that I can’t show in photos. Chatoyance is a term used in fine wood finishing (and jewelry too, I think) to describe a peculiar, optical feature of some woods. As your viewing angle changes, the grain of chatoyant wood appears to move as well. This creates a 3-D-like effect similar to those holographic baseball cards and the like. It looks like you’re seeing into the wood, just below the surface. Very, very cool. I’ve seen chatoyance many times in other woods, but this is the first time I’ve seen it in briar. The effect is most evident in the cross grain along the bottom, but it can be seen to varying degrees over the entire pipe. I wish that I could show it, but I think the pipe still looks pretty damn good without it. Specs: Weight: 26g / 0.9 oz. Length: 131mm / 5.16 in. Bowl height: 40mm / 1.57 in. Bowl width: 32mm / 1.25 in. Chamber diameter: 19mm / .75 in. Chamber depth: 32mm / 1.25 in. Do you do restorations for people? I'd certainly send you something if I wanted it restored. |
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Post by pepesdad1 on Nov 20, 2018 15:30:24 GMT -5
Oh, Lord...don't let Duane see this one...he'll be crying over the phone to you...it's calling to me....gotta have that one to complete my selection of yachts or scoops."
Beautiful job, as always, Anthony.....you do have a knack for bringing out the best that any pipe has.
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piffyr
Junior Member
Posts: 422
First Name: Anthony
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm smoking right now.
Favorite Tobacco: Revor Plug
Location:
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Post by piffyr on Nov 20, 2018 15:39:12 GMT -5
Do you do restorations for people? I'd certainly send you something if I wanted it restored. I'm attempting to be very careful here because I don't want to break any forum rules,.. but yes, the majority of my repair and restoration work is for clients. These that I've done lately are the first for myself in quite a while and will likely be the last for a while again. I needed to experiment with a couple of techniques and these pipes were good candidates for that. It's not smart to experiment with someone else's property. |
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Post by beardedmi on Nov 20, 2018 16:05:15 GMT -5
piffyr 100+ posts and you should be good to go on offering services. 200 should do as well.
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Post by dervis on Nov 20, 2018 16:37:20 GMT -5
Simply beautiful . I really like that shape. Also thinking I should be on the look out for a catalog to read these stories.
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 20, 2018 17:35:12 GMT -5
Two things...
1. You haven't broken any rules, but thanks for your concern and awareness. You're way over the threshold and you're not spamming.
2. Outstanding work.
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Post by dave g on Nov 20, 2018 22:19:23 GMT -5
Great shape and profile. I really like this one.
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Post by dave g on Nov 20, 2018 22:22:05 GMT -5
.[/quote]
Do you do restorations for people? I'd certainly send you something if I wanted it restored. [/quote]
Piffyr is one of the best in the business. If you want it done right, he’s the man.
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Post by Dramatwist on Nov 20, 2018 22:29:07 GMT -5
Prettied up nicely, didn't it? Outstanding work.
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driftingfate
Full Member
Posts: 500
First Name: David
Location:
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Post by driftingfate on Nov 20, 2018 22:35:24 GMT -5
Learn something new every time I log on here - thank you for posting!
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Post by unknownpipesmoker on Nov 20, 2018 22:40:48 GMT -5
I've always wanted a pipe in that shape.
Beautiful work, stunning like all the rest
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Post by trailboss on Nov 20, 2018 22:47:16 GMT -5
Beautiful job on that restoration, the history of Wally Frank is pretty interesting in all that I have read, it would be nice if there was a book about the man and the firm, like there is on Peter Stokkebye.
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piffyr
Junior Member
Posts: 422
First Name: Anthony
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm smoking right now.
Favorite Tobacco: Revor Plug
Location:
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Post by piffyr on Nov 20, 2018 23:49:36 GMT -5
piffyr 100+ posts and you should be good to go on offering services. 200 should do as well. Thanks. It really only proves that I am an opinionated blabbermouth, which is totally true by the way. |
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Post by kxg on Nov 20, 2018 23:55:20 GMT -5
Great restoration as per usual! You are setting a pretty high bar.
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piffyr
Junior Member
Posts: 422
First Name: Anthony
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm smoking right now.
Favorite Tobacco: Revor Plug
Location:
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Post by piffyr on Nov 21, 2018 0:07:22 GMT -5
Two things... 1. You haven't broken any rules, but thanks for your concern and awareness. You're way over the threshold and you're not spamming. 2. Outstanding work. Thank you. I'm quite proud of the work that I do and I'm proud of the finished pipes in the same way that a parent would be proud of child that just graduated with an advanced degree. I want to tell everybody about them and show them off so that they can strut their stuff. At the same time, I never want it to seem like I'm just using the forum as a way of drumming up new business. I'm here for the same reason the rest of you are. I have a genuine passion for pipes of all kinds and it's nice to be around people that share that passion. |
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cgvt
Full Member
Posts: 906
First Name: Jim
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Post by cgvt on Nov 21, 2018 0:09:17 GMT -5
Wow! Niiiiiice...
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piffyr
Junior Member
Posts: 422
First Name: Anthony
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm smoking right now.
Favorite Tobacco: Revor Plug
Location:
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Post by piffyr on Nov 21, 2018 0:16:55 GMT -5
Piffyr is one of the best in the business. If you want it done right, he’s the man. Thanks, Dave. Should I pay by check or will PayPal work?  Dave, of course, is a humble soul that does some damn fine work himself as I'm sure you all know. |
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piffyr
Junior Member
Posts: 422
First Name: Anthony
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm smoking right now.
Favorite Tobacco: Revor Plug
Location:
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Post by piffyr on Nov 21, 2018 0:23:04 GMT -5
Beautiful job on that restoration, the history of Wally Frank is pretty interesting in all that I have read, it would be nice if there was a book about the man and the firm, like there is on Peter Stokkebye. Yeah, I know. It would save me a lot of time and trouble. Everything I know has come from piecing together tidbits from catalogs, old articles and stories from a few people that had direct experience with the business or the man. |
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piffyr
Junior Member
Posts: 422
First Name: Anthony
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm smoking right now.
Favorite Tobacco: Revor Plug
Location:
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Post by piffyr on Nov 21, 2018 1:09:26 GMT -5
By the way, here's a video that shows and explains chatoyancy for anyone that's curious...
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 21, 2018 3:17:25 GMT -5
Two things... 1. You haven't broken any rules, but thanks for your concern and awareness. You're way over the threshold and you're not spamming. 2. Outstanding work. Thank you. I'm quite proud of the work that I do and I'm proud of the finished pipes in the same way that a parent would be proud of child that just graduated with an advanced degree. I want to tell everybody about them and show them off so that they can strut their stuff. At the same time, I never want it to seem like I'm just using the forum as a way of drumming up new business. I'm here for the same reason the rest of you are. I have a genuine passion for pipes of all kinds and it's nice to be around people that share that passion. I think the difference is whether or not you're part of the community. By that, I mean that you're taking part in 'conversations' and participating well. And I would say you are... and because of that, when new people join and ask about pipe restoration, or when others ask, you'll be one that comes to mind, among others, because you're hanging out here. |
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Post by antb on Nov 21, 2018 6:12:53 GMT -5
Too nice, man! And just put your web site/contact details in your signature line already!   |
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joeman
Full Member
Posts: 566
First Name: Joe
Favorite Pipe: Grabow Hillcrest
Favorite Tobacco: Sutliff Barbados Plantation
Location:
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Post by joeman on Nov 21, 2018 12:33:16 GMT -5
Nice job as always, Anthony. And a great example of that shape. I have the same Collector horn...and it has a P-style button.
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piffyr
Junior Member
Posts: 422
First Name: Anthony
Favorite Pipe: The one I'm smoking right now.
Favorite Tobacco: Revor Plug
Location:
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Post by piffyr on Nov 21, 2018 15:31:42 GMT -5
Nice job as always, Anthony. And a great example of that shape. I have the same Collector horn...and it has a P-style button. That's an older one, Joe. It's a '40s/'50s shape that they called the "powder horn". I think the stummel is slightly different from the one I've posted. Maybe a little shorter in the shank. Certainly American-made, but may or may not have been made by Weber. I don't know too much about Weber's shape offerings during that time period. |
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joeman
Full Member
Posts: 566
First Name: Joe
Favorite Pipe: Grabow Hillcrest
Favorite Tobacco: Sutliff Barbados Plantation
Location:
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Post by joeman on Nov 21, 2018 16:12:08 GMT -5
Yep...you are correct on the differences...and it's been a while since I've pulled this one out and looked at it! Shorter in the shank, and a bit 'fatter' as well. This was an 'early' refurb for me, and she's got a few miles on her since. Also...the briar is remarkably light weight for the size.  |
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